The Art of the Title Card: Home Made Home

 

Everyman Goofy became handyman Goofy in the cartoon Home Made Home, released seventy-five years ago today on March 23, 1951. The title was a riff on the traditional "Home Sweet Home" saying which originated in the early 19th century. It became a popular embroidery motif which inspired Disney artists in the design of this particular title card. Layouts were credited to Al Zinnen; backgrounds to Dick Anthony.

The Art of the Title Card: Dude Duck

Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the classic Donald Duck cartoon Dude Duck, released on March 2, 1951.  Directed by studio veteran Jack Hannah, the short showcased the battle of wits between Donald and the horse Rover Boy #6 at the Bar None dude ranch.  Layout was by Yale Gracey; background by Art Riley.

Image © Walt Disney Company

The Art of the Title Card: The Brave Little Tailor

It's fitting that one of Mickey Mouse's best cartoons would also have one of the studio's premiere title cards. Released in 1938, The Brave Little Tailor shines, as does its brilliantly designed title rendering. Unfortunately, it's difficult to even speculate as to the artist of the piece, as the short did not display credits. IMDB lists Les Clark and Frank Thomas as background artists

Explore the 2719 Hyperion Archives:
The Brave Little Tailor and the Beanstalk

Image © Walt Disney Company

The Art of the Title Card: How to Be a Detective

We are introducing a new series here at 2719 Hyperion that celebrates a largely overlooked and little appreciated component of classic animated shorts - the title card.  While largely generic and plain during the Disney Studio's early years, full canvas illustrations became the standard for title cards from the late 1930s onward.  Examples ranged from the minimal to the elaborate, but were almost always striking in design, composition and execution.  Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the artist behind any given card.  Conventional wisdom suggests either the Layout or Background credited individual was responsible so that is the attribution we will make here.

Our inaugural entry is from the 1952 Goofy short How to Be a Detective.  The design employs a clever mashup of magnifying glass and disguise elements to create a noir inspired vignette.  Al Zinnen was the credited layout artist; Dick Anthony did the backgrounds.

Explore the 2719 Hyperion Archives:
How to Be a Detective - December 12, 1952